What's on your mind? Got a topic that just begs to be explored?

Posted Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at 8:15 AM

I don't mind being a conduit, so send me your ideas. Since this blog is a reflection of me, I reserve the right to decline but it is worth a try. You can then come back to comment on it and engage the readership in conversation.

I won't disclose who you are, nor publish your e-mail address. Right now I ask that you be in Bedford County or have lived here. Sound like a plan?

I think you have a really great idea . Thanks for giving of your time and energy to do this for us . I don't live in Bedford CO now , but did for the biggest part of my life , having recently moved to an island in the south Pacific . but do love keeping in touch with all the folks back home. Can you tell me please what happened to Mike Bell ? He and his blog just suddenly disappeared . I'm concerned for him .

thanks

-- Posted by blueanjell on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 7:26 PM

blueanjell: hey where in the south pacific?? I used to live in Guam.

I want to know: why don't we have anything for teens in Beford county?

It does not have to be church run.. just a good thing.

Oh yeah what about Mike Bell.

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 8:00 PM

It seems like I just saw a post last week from Michael but I guess he is no longer blogging on the T-G. You can find him on Facebook.com Maybe he can answer your questions directly.

I am curious about the South Pacific Island thing myself. That sounds like a great 'teen' event. No?

Regarding something for teens, you have hit on a subject near and dear to my heart. I will start a new post with the title defining the conversation. I would not want to miss some folks who see the title above and move on.

Lets keep ideas coming, but since you started with this subject, let's explore it.

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 10:24 PM

New Zealand = land of the long white cloud !! lol

It is absolutely beautiful here !

-- Posted by blueanjell on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 10:43 PM

Wow! That is one country I would love to visit. I am not big on the time it takes to get there but I am confident it is worth it.

I do a little business over there (all remotely). Was it business or just wanting to live there that moved you? (Don't need to get into dettails)

-- Posted by stevemills on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 8:04 AM

It's really not that bad of a trip. once you get airborne, and things level off,dinner is served, then if you're one of the fortunate few who CAN sleep on an airplane,lol,you sleep right thru til they're serving breakfast,then it's only a short time thereafter til landing in Auckland. I made the trip several times before coming here,marrying the love of my life,and deciding to stay.

It's really beautiful . you'd love it here also

-- Posted by blueanjell on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 7:44 PM

4fabfelines,

I answered your note but don't see it appearing anywhere so will re post a portion and ask you again about your time in Guam .Did you like it there ?

why did you leave OR were you there not of your own choice ?

I love NZ , except for the cold salt sea air. when it blows, it blows LOL !

-- Posted by blueanjell on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 7:49 PM

blueanjell,

There is a Huge plant with leaves that are 5-6 feet in diameter and grow on stems with thorns that grow somewhere around 10-12 feet high in New Zealand called "Gunnera", which is an invasive plant and is being exterminated in New Zealand.

I have purchased at least a dozen of them in the past 3 years from different nurseries in the U.S. with no luck until recently.

I currently have 4 plants which I purchased on eBay that have made it and are growing like wild.

I was just wondering if there are any Gunneras growing over there since you mentioned that was where you are living now.

His comment is near the bottom. I was curious myself what happened to Michael Bell.

-- Posted by Unique-Lies on Sun, Jun 20, 2010, at 12:17 AM

yes there are two large species of Gunnera cultivated in New Zealand but they look very similar and are often mistaken one for the other . the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch has one of each -- growing side by side .

-- Posted by blueanjell on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 5:05 AM

I did a little research and found it referred to as Chilean Rhubarb. Have you ever tried to eat it? What is it like and how is it prepared?

By the way, I will be conversing with your part of the world a bit more. We have decided to explore more of our company's opportunities in Australia and to a small part New Zealand. From my time maps it is 1:00 A.M. tomorrow in NZ?. It is 8:00 A.M. here (yesterday to you).

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 8:04 AM

There are several names given to these plants; Gunnera Manicata, Gunnera Tinctoria, Giant Rhubarb, Chilean Rhubarb, Great Gunnera, Giant Rhubarb Gunnera and Dinosaur food.

The only Edible Part is the STEM.

Young leaf stalks - peeled and cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw.

People in Chile eat the stalks raw, with salt.

The stem and leaves have small prickly thorns that will cut and jab you. Also, direct contact with the leaves, for some people, will give them an allergic reaction.

Each flowers can be 3 feet long and can produce 80,000 to 250,000 seeds each year.

It is a very hard plant to start in TN (when you want one), but has been grown in zone 5 with winter mulching. It can be grown from seeds or by chopping up the crown and planting the pieces.

They are a warm weather Tropical plant, but mine couldn't take the summer heat here in Tennessee.

So far, mine are growing nicely this year.

-- Posted by Unique-Lies on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 11:23 AM

It sounds remarkably like rhubard but much bigger and the thorns add a different dimension.

Thanks for the info.

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 1:39 PM

RE:By the way, I will be conversing with your part of the world a bit more. We have decided to explore more of our company's opportunities in Australia and to a small part New Zealand. From my time maps it is 1:00 A.M. tomorrow in NZ?. It is 8:00 A.M. here (yesterday to you).

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 8:04 AM

yes there's a 17 hour time difference . It's 4:40 pm Friday here so it must be about 11:40 PM Thursday there ?????

what type business are you interested in expanding to New Zealand ? I'm interested in learning more ---- Have you visited here yet ? you'll love it !

-- Posted by blueanjell on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 11:43 PM

Involved in paper, printing, packaging industries.

I have not been to NZ but know that I would love it. The scenery looks great, and the people I have conversed with have been great. Maybe!

-- Posted by stevemills on Fri, Jun 25, 2010, at 2:55 PM

sounds great , Steve !

what part of NZ will you start in ? perhaps Auckland ? that seems to be the center of activity lol the largest , I'm told . I'm on the lower part of the south Island . hopefully you'll expand to here also !

Steve Mills and his wife have one daughter and live on a farm outside of Bell Buckle. They previously owned two coffee/ice cream shops, currently operate an internet sales company and teach classes, but his primary job involves the paper industry worldwide. Hobbies and interests lie in gardening, photography, recorded music and of course, their pets.